Apparatus for controlling the flow of dye liquor through kiers



w. E. J. MGMANN 2,586,244 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF DYE LIQUOR THROUGH KIERS Filed Jan. 16. 1948 Feb. 19, 1952 .STARTER INVENTORI \MLLIAM E. J. McM NN ATTORNEYS.

' the'kier, firstfin the yarn'onthe -beam toward the'interiorL then in the other direction (as from inside thebeam outwardly through the to accomplish the desired shade. operation there exists a pressure diifereriti'al be- Which the dye liquor Patented Feb. 19, 1952 ITED STATES. T OFFICE APPARATUSFORCONTROLLING THE FLOW F DYE LIQUOR THROUGH KIERS William -J.'Mc Mann,*Danville, Va. Application January 16, 1'94'8,4S'erial N o."2,671

9 Claims;

This "application relates generally to dyeing, and particularly to the regulation of beam dyeing processes, so as-to eliminate the necessity 'for constant attention by an operator, and the causes of blown'beams, crushed'beams, and non- "uniform dyeing.

. In the dyeing of yarn on a large scale, it is the'usua'l practice to wind as much as 17,000 yards of yarn'on a so-call'ed beam. The beam is a relatively large reel, having "a reticulated core whichis adapted tobe received within a "kier, and separate the kier into two pressure chambers, with the yarnwound on the reticujlated'core constituting the pervious wall'be'tween thecha'mbers. Dye liquor is circulated through one direction (a's'irom outside yarn) ,for atil'ne suflicient In such an tween tha'tside of the yarn on the beam through enters, and that side of the yarn on the "beam through which the eye liquor leaves. The differential is periodically reversed by the 'manipulation of "a four-way valve conventionally employed for the purpose. The

reversals of circulation have hitherto been "accomplished automatically, by an apparatus known in 'the'arta's a cycle cam.

As 'an incident 'to the'reversal of the direction (if flow, the pressure difierential within the kier is subject to sudden "changes and surges. This frequently results in disturbing the relation of .the :yarn on the beam, to the extent that a limited path of lesseri esistance'to flow 'ofth'e dye liquor than the body -'of yarn, is created. Since the dye liquor under pressure seeks the path of least resistance, more liquor will flow through one section of yarn than through another, "with consequent non-uniformity of shade. In -'some cases the beam -'of yarn is thereby ruined; in other cases, the beam may be rewound on another beam and r'e-dyed. In either event, the damage is expensive. These dii'ficulties are known in the art-as blown beams. Another difiiculty which the art has experienced as an incident to sudden -surges-ofpressurein the'kier results in the mechanical failure 'of the reticulated core'of thebeam. This is'known in the art as crushed beamsfeand damages not only the beam itselfybut the yarn thereon.

In the dyeing industryloss :of time, equipment, andmaterialresulting from crushedbeams and blown beams amounts to many thousands 'dollars annually. -The constant likelihood of such damage requires that an operator give constant attention'to the pressures within the kier, and be ready at any instant to interrupt the operation.

The object of the present invention, generally state dis to automatically regulate beam dyeing operations so as to 'elimnate the necessity of con- 'stan't'attentionby an operator, and minimize the likelihood of loss due to crushed and blown beams. 7

Other objects will beapparerit'to'those skilled 'in'the art as the following description 'i's'read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein'the "single figure is'a diagrammatic view of "a beam-dyeing system provided with auto- :matic regulation apparatus 'in accordance with the present invention.

'The'pr'esent invention contemplates the automatic coiitrol of yarn drying process, and makes use or the conventional kiers, beams, pumps, valves, 'and cycling mechanism.

The single figure of the drawing is a diagram sh'owingthe corelation of the 'convention'alkier, pump, four way "valve, and the interconnecting pipes in corelation with the control devices of the present" invention.

In *order "to orient the "invention, the conven- -''tional parts or the system as shown in the accompanying drawing will first be pointed out. A kier I 'lravi'n'g a'bea'm 2, on which the yarn to "be dyedi'swound, is connected to an unidirectiona1 pump 3. The pump 3 is-driven by a motor 4. Pipes B and eextend' respectively from the intake and'outpu'tp'o'rts of the pump. A power-driven 'four-wayvalve 1 (shown in section) is arranged :to connect pipes 5 and 6 selectively to pipes '8 and '9, "the former extending from the valve 1 .to' abeam surfaceport '80 and "the latter extendingfrom the'valve l to abea'm axis port '90 in 'the "kier '1. The'valve I, when in "the position 'showninifull lines, connects pipe 5 with pipe 9, and pipe 6 with' pip'e 8, thusinducing flow of the dye liquor in the direction indicated by the full arrows"(theexterior'of thebeam being at higher -pressure=than the interior To reverse the flow of-dye =liquor'( as indicated by the broken arrows), the valve 1 is moved to the position shown in dotted lines, wherein pipe 5 is connected with pipe '8, and pipe 6 with pipe 9. To move valve .1 between the two "positions, there is provided an air cylinder 10, having a :piston ll whose rod terminates in a rack '12, inter-engagingwith a pinion on the valve. The-cylinder 10 is energized'by-compressed airfromsource l 4,controlled by a slide valve l5 which, in the position shown, admits the compressed air through pipe 16 behind piston I I. In the opposite position of slide valve l5 (toward which it is loaded to move automatically), connection is made with pipe I! which communicates with the interior of cylinder l3 ahead of piston I I, so that valve 1 is activated to its dotted line position. Valve 1 is periodically moved between its two positions by a timing mechanism commonly called a "cycle cam, and indicated generally at Hi. The cycle cam is a chronometer, arranged to control the flow of compressed air from a supply l9, through a pipe 20, to an actuating cylinder 200 for a slide valve l5. For a predetermined period of time (while air is admitted from supply l9 to pipe 20) the slide valve i5, piston I i, and valve 1 will be in the positions shown. Then for a predetermined period, the flow of air from pipe l9 to pipe 23 is interrupted, with the result that the slide valve I5, piston H and valve I assume their opposite positions (wherein pipe 5 is connected with pipe 8). The cycle cam also controls motor 4 so that on each occasion while valve 1 is being moved between its two positions, the supply of electric power to motor 4 is interrupted, and when valve 1 has been re-positioned the motor is restarted. In addition to the aforementioned apparatus, the conventional dyeing system included a pressure gauge involving a diaphragm 2| located within the kier, and an indicator which was generally of the recording type.

In accordance with the present invention, a variable constriction valve is applied to the discharge outlet of pump 3, and the degree of opening of said valve is automatically varied to maintain the pressure on diaphragm 2! within one set of predetermined limits when the flow of dye liquor is in one direction, and within another set of predetermined limits when the flow of dyeliquor is in the opposite direction. A further feature of the invention resides in the arrangement of the control apparatus, so that the constriction valve is operated toward closed position when the flow of power to the pump motor is interrupted.

The variable constriction valve is shown at 22. The area of the orifice through valve 22 is controlled by turning stem 23, which latter is geared to a reversible electric motor 24. Operation of motor 24 is controlled by magnetic switches 25 and 26, and which are controlled respectively by electro-pneumatic relays 21 and 28. Relay 21 is constructed to close its circuit when the pneumatic pressure thereon is at a high value, as for example 9 pounds or more per square inch. Relay 28 is constructed to close its circuit when the pneumatic pressure thereon is at a low value, as for example 6 pounds or less per square inch. Between the operating values of the two relays, a substantial pressure ran e exists in which neither relay closes its circuit. The circuits are arranged so that when relay 2! closes its circuit, motor 24 is operated in the direction to increase the area of the orifice through valve 22: and conversely when relay 28 closes its circuit, the motor 24 reduces the area of the orifice through valve 22.

Relays 21 and 28 are actuated by air from line 29. The pressure in line 29 is variable, and at any increment of time depends not only upon the pressure on diaphragm 2!, but also upon the direction of dye liquor flow, and also upon whether or not motor 4 is energized. The air in line 29 is supplied from a line 30 at substantially constant pressure, and is controlled in the first instance by;

an electro-magnetic valve 3| which is open when motor 4 is energized, but closed when the power supply to motor 4 is interrupted. From valve 3| the air passes through tube 32 to a pressure recording controlling instrument 33, which has an index pointer 34 (the position of which is determined by the direction of flow of the dye liquor). and an indicating pointer 35 (the position of which reflects the actual pressure on diaphragm 2| within the kier). Index pointer 34 is in the position shown in full lines when the flow of dye liquor is in the direction of the full arrows, but in the position shown in broken lines when the flow of dye liquor is in the direction of the broken arrows. The instrument 3 also contains an air pressure reducing valve 36, of any well known type wherein a part 50 may be moved to vary the output pressure to any value below the input pressure. The position of valve 36 (and hence the output air pressure thereof) is dependent upon the relative positions of pointers 34 and 35, irrespective of whether pointer 34 is in its high position (shown in full lines), or its low position (shown in broken lines). The instrument 33 may be of any known type wherein input compressed air is reduced and delivered at pressure above or below a median, depending upon whether one indicated quantity (such as pointer 35) is above or below another indicated quantity (such as pointer 34-) provided the latter indication is automatically adjustable. Such instruments are obtainable upon the market in forms which involve intricate mechanism for assurance of accuracy, sensitivity of action, and anti-hunting. Complete understanding of the details of such an instrument is unnecessary for disclosure of the present invention, and consequently the accompanying drawing is not encumbered with them. In the form of instrument diagrammati cally shown in the drawings, the pointer 34 is mounted upon a shaft 5|. to which is secured a: gear 52, and the pointer 35 is mounted upon a shaft 53, upon which is secured a gear 54. The gear 54 is meshed with an idling gear 55, which in turn meshes with a gear 51 at one end of a; diiferential mechanism 53. The gear 52 meshes with a gear of the same size as gear 51, but at the other end of the differential mechanism. Part 50 of valve 36 is connected to the differential mechanism 55 through a rack 58 and a pinion 59 so that when the two pointers 34 and 35 are substantially aligned, the air output from valve 36 is at median pressure (e. g. between 6 and 9 p. s. i), when pointer 35 is above pointer 34 the air output of valve 36 is below the median pressure, and when pointer 35 is below pointer 34 the air output of valve 36 is above the median ressure.

The output side of pressure'reducing valve 35 is connected to air line 29, which as above indicated, supplies the energy for actuating relays 21 and 28.

To move the index pointer 34 between the position shown in full lines (when the direction of dye liquor flow is as indicated by the full arrows). and the position shown in dotted lines (wherein. the direction of flow of dye liquor is as indicated. by the broken arrows). an air line 31 extends; from line 20 to a pressure-responsive element 38,. which latter is in turn linked to pointer 34. Ac-

cordingly, when the cycle cam I8 opens the valve to admit air under pressure from supply line H) to line 20, the same air pressure is applied to the maticallyforr otherwise; s0.-a-s toimoivespointena t sition and consequently changes the index datum'r from which differentials between:it andpointer. 3 5 are measured;

Pointer 35' is actuated ifrom a pressure-respon--- sive element 39, such asa-diaphragm or'bellowsi. connected through 'tube'd tito diaphragm 21 within;.the.-kier.: I so that pointer 35: directly reflects the actual. pressure exerted: at any increment Off timetuponldiaphragm 2 l=.

Asz-hereinabove indicated, the cyclecam |8;a-1so.- interrupts the flow of electric-power. to. motor 4- during theperiod'required for: each re-positioming of valve 1. Thissis-accomplished through theoperation of a micro-switch 4+; which controls arr-electric circuit: energizing a-holdingrcoil in thema'g-netic'starter 42. for motor 4:

Withthe parts in the positions shownin" the drawings, the sequence of operation's willnow bedescribed, it being assumedthat the parts have: just'assur'ned the positions shown in full lines. The motor'4 begins-to'operate; forcing dyerliquor out through valve 22, pipe fi', valveTLpipe-8'; and into her I at the: outside of beam 2. The: dye liquor" passes: throughthe yarn on. beam 2, and es'capes through the. hollow coreof the beam to return. pipe 9,. from: whence it passes through valve 1 to piped andipump 3, then-tobe-recin culated. If during'this period: pointer 35 falls below pointer 34, pressure; reducing valve: 354sautomatically adjusted to increase the pressure atwhich air is delivered to tube 29. Whenthe dif ference between pointers 34- and. 35 is great enough, the: pressure of the air delivered by valvee 3 6"to tube 29'. is sufiicient'i (as forexampleat 9: pounds per square inch,.or more) to actuaterre-- lay" 217'; Uponiactuation-of relay. 21, thecircuit' to motor 24': is energized in a direction. which: causes'a valve 22 to'open' wider, thuspermitting: an increased rate of flow of the dyeliquor from pump 3 through the system; In the event. of pointer 35'risin'g above pointer 34. valve 36 is ac-- tuated in the' opposite" direction from that in dicated above; to reduce'the air pressure delivered: by'val've 36to tube 29-to avalue below the median value (as for'examp'le to a'valuebelow 6 pounds per'square' inch). Consequently, undersuchcir cumstances; relay- 2-8. is actuatedto close-thecir cuit to motor 24 for'operati'onin. the direction which reduces the" orificethroughvalve 22: and: decreases the rate of flow of dye liquor: from; pump-3.. Such decreaseirr the =rate-of flowof-fdye. liquoreifects a reductioniof the pressurewithin kier l on diaphragm-21L The reduction:in:pres-- sure is: reflected by a: movement of pointer 35 toward the: position of pointer 34; and a COD? sequent adjustment: of'valve 36, so as to increasethe air pressureorrline 29". Whenathepressure. on line 29 hasireachedathetmedianwalue, relay 28 will resume its open circuit positi0n;,and further operation of motor 24 be discontinued. When the flow of dye liquor in the directionindicated by'the'full arrows has progressed for the: desired period of time, cycle cam l8 operates to: autom'aticallyinterrupt the flow of power tomotor 4, and concurrently interrupts. the supply of? air under pressure-from pipe; 58' topipe ED981111? cylinder. 20H. The interruption. of the supply of; air under'pressureto pipe 20 causes index pointer.- 34'- todrop to the position. indicated indottedlinesaand: alsocauses slide-- valver IE to move-to. the position whereat pipe 14. is connectedwith pipe I], with" the. resultfthat air. pressure is; now applied'aheadofpiston H Piston ,I I then moves. leftwardly,'re-positioning'valve 1 so as to connect pipe 5. with. pipe 8, and-.pipe-5 with pipe=9s Concurrently with the interruption of the sup ply of power to motor 4, solenoid valve 3| isdeenerg-ized so that the, supply of air underpressurefrom .pipe 30 to pipe32=is interrupted.- Thisimmediately reduces the pressure in line 29 to below its median value, irrespective 'ofrthe magni-- tude of the immediately preceding"pressure-there in: Such reduction of the pressure in line 29- ac.-

' tuatesrelay; 28 which; as described above,.efiects. a progressive. reduction of the orifice through. -valve-2 2. When valve? has been thus re-posi tioned, cycle-cam Iii-operates to reclose the'cincuit'to'motortand solenoid valve-31. Due to the.

re-positioning" of the valve 1-, the circulationof dye -liquor is now in the direction indicated'by the broken arrows, with the result that the-.ex:+- terior of the beam 2 becomes the low pressure side of theukier; During the interim in which motor' l Was-not operating, the pressure-ondiaphragm 2| will have-been'gradually falling, due.

to-continuecl seepage of the dye liquor through theJya-rn on beam-2; but when operation of mo tor 4 is resumed, pointer 35 may still be abovethe; new lower position: of pointer 34 In this relativeposition of the parts, valve 35 isin po-- sition to" deliver air cfilower thanmedian pres.- sure: to:line 29, with theresult that relay 28 is;ac,-

tuateol: to effectoperation of motor Miintherdi rection which: reduces theorifice through; valve 22. Such operation" of motor 24* continues until the: pointers234*-and35 are; substantially aligned,

atcwhich' time the'airrpressure 'in,line29 is-at its:

median value; and operation of motor 241s dis continued;

When. thGifiOW of dye liquor'in the direction last described has continued for the prescribed period: of: time; cycle'cam Hi again operates to rel-position valve: T andpointer 34; period of flow of; dye" liquor in either direction,

and the-.numberoftreversals. of the direction of? flowduring 'the treatment-of. any. given beam of yarn",- is a. matter with which the present invention has-"no concern, butone which may bereadily controlled in accordance with the circumstances.

in anyrparticular case by appropriate adjustment of" the cycle cam l8; in amanner well known to tho'se skill'e'din the art.-

' From the foregoing description, it shouldbe apparent that the present invention so regulates the orifice through valve 22 that when the pressureon. diaphragm 21 within kier l is too high,

valve-22 is constricted so as to reduce the rate of Conversely, when the flow of the dye liquor. pressure-on diaphragm- 21 is too low, valve 22 is automaticallyoperated so as to increase the-rate of flow of the dye liquor, and consequently increase the pressure on diaphragm 2|. The optimum: pressure on diaphragm 2! may be, for example, at about 35 pounds per square inch when the'direction of'flow is, as-indicated by the full. arrows. On the other hand, when the direction of flow is reversed,.the optimum pressure on diaphragm 2 I will be considerably less, as for example about ten pounds per square inch. The apparatusof the. present invention automatically resetsitself tocontrolvariationsof pressure with? inkier, irrespective, of whether the. optimum,

pressure ondiaphragm 2lisa. high value or a The time low value at any given increment of time. Moreover, the arrangement of parts is such that upon each interruption of the flow of dye liquor, motor 24 is set into operation in a direction such as to close valve 22. Accordingly when operation of pump 3 is resumed, no sudden surge of pressure within kier I can occur, because valve, 22 must be opened gradually.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the invention is not limited to the specific forms of control elements or operative parts as have been herein referred to, and are shown diagrammatically in the drawings. It is therefore to be distinctly understood that such modifications and variations of the apparatus disclosed as may occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, are contemplated by and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a dyeing apparatus comprising a kier having a beam axis port and a port leading to the exterior surface of a beam within the kier, a beam within the kier and connected with the beam axi port thereof, a pump having a discharge port and an intake port, a pipe system interconnecting the ports of the kier and the pump for conducting dye liquor from the pump to the kier and from the kier to the pump, and reversing valve means for changing the relation of connection between the pump ports and the kier ports to reverse thevdirection of flow of dye liquor through the kier, the combination of a power driven constrictible valve in the pipe system for regulating the rate of dye liquor flow through the kier, a pressure responsive device located within said kier, and means controlled by said pressure responsive device for actuating said valve.

' 2. In a dyeing apparatus comprising a kier having a beam axis port and a port leading to the exterior surface of a beam within the kier, a beam within the kier and connected with the beam axis port thereof, a pump having a discharge port and an intake port, a pipe system interconnecting the ports of the kier and the pump for conducting dye liquor from the pump to the kier and from the kier to the pump, and reversing valve means for changing the relation of connection between the pump ports and the kier ports to reverse the direction of flow of dye liquor through the kier, the combination of a power driven constrictible valve in the pipe system for regulating the rate of dye liquor flow through the kier, means controlling the operation of said valve selectively in one direction or the other pursuant to variations of the kier pressure above or below a datum, and means for automatically changing the datum in accordance with the direction of flow through the kier.

3. In a dyeing apparatus comprising a kier having a beam axis port and a port leading to the exterior surface of a beam within the kier, a beam within the kier and connected with the beam axis port thereof, a pump having a discharge port and an intake port, a pipe system interconnecting the ports of the kier and the pump for conducting dye liquor from the pump to the kier and from the kier to the pump, and reversing valve means for changing the relation of connection between the pump ports and the kier ports to reverse the direction of flow of dye liquor through the kier, the combination of a power driven constrictible valve in the pipe system for regulating the rate of dye liquor flow through the system, means controlling the operation of said constrictible valve selectively in one direction or the other pursuant to variation of the kier pressure above or below a datum, and means for automatically changing the datum in accordance with the direction of flow through the kier, said control means being operative to move the constriction valve toward closed position upon the interruption of flow to the kier.

4. In a dyeing apparatus comprising a kier having a beam axis port and a port leading to the exterior surface of a beam within the kier, a pressure responsive member within the kier, a beam within the kier and connected with the beam axis port thereof, a pump having a discharge port and an intake port, a pipe system interconnecting the ports of the kier and the pump for conducting dye liquor from the pump to the kier and from the kier to the pump, reversing valve means for changing the relation of connection between the pump ports and the kier ports to reverse the direction of flow of dye liquor through the kier, and a cycling device for periodically actuating said reversing valve means, the combination of a constriction valve in the pipe system for regulating the rate of flow from the pump to the men-reversible power means for operating said constriction valve, and control means operative in accordance with the position of said pressure responsive member to energize said power means for operation in one direction or the other depending upon whether the pressure responsive member is above or below a predetermined datum.

5. In a dyeing apparatus comprising a kier having a beam axis port and a port leading to the exterior surface of a beam within the kier, a pressure responsive member within the kier, a beam within the kier and connected with the beam axis port thereof, a pump having a discharge port and an intake port, a pipe system interconnecting the ports of the kier and the pump for conducting dye liquor from the pump to the kier and from the kier to the pump, reversing valve means for changing the relation of connection between the pump ports and the kier ports to reverse the direction of flow of dye liquor through the kier, and a cycling device for periodically actuating said reversing valve means, the combination of a constriction valve in the pipe system for regulating the rate of flow from the pump to the kier, reversible power means for operating said constriction valve, and control means operative in accordance with the position of said pressure responsive member to energize said power means for operation in one direction or the other depending upon Whether the pressure responsive member is above or below a predetermined datum and means responsive to operation of the cycling device for resetting said predetermined datum upon each actuation of the reversing valve means.

6. In a dyeing apparatus comprising a kier having a beam axis port and a port leading to the exterior surface of a beam within the kier, a pressure responsive member within the kier, a beam within the kier and connected with the beam axis port thereof, a pump having a discharge port and an intake port, a pipe system interconnecting the ports of the kier and the pump for conducting dye liquor from the pump to the kier and from the kier to the pump, reversing valve means for changing the relation of connection between the pump ports and the kier ports to reverse the direction of flow of dye liquor through the kier, and a cycling device for periodically actuating said reversing valve means, the combination of a constriction valve in the pipe system for regulating the rate of flow from the pump to the kier, a reversible electric motor driving said constriction valve, electropneumatic control means for said motor arranged to close one circuit when the pneumatic pressure thereon is abovea predetermined value and to close a reverse circuit when the pneumatic pressure thereon is below said predetermined value, both circuits being open when the pneumatic pressure is normal, a source supplying air at pressure substantially in excess of the aforesaid predeter-v mined value, a reducing valve connected to receive air from said source, said reducing valve having its output port connected to said electropneumatic control means, means for automatically adjusting said reducing valve in accordance with the position of said pressure responsive member above or below a predetermined datum, and mea'fis for resetting the datum in accordance with the position of said cycling device.

7. In a dyeing apparatus comprising a kier having a beam axis port and a port leading to the exterior surface of a beam within the kier, a pressure responsive member within the kier, a beam within the kier and connected with the beam axis port thereof, a pump having a discharge port and an intake port, a pipe system interconnecting the ports of the kier and the pump for conducting dye liquor from the pump to the kier and from the kier to the pump, reversing valve means for changing the relation of connection between the pump ports and the kier ports to reverse the direction of flow of dye liquor through the kier, and a cycling device for periodically actuating said reversing valve means, the combination of a constriction valve in the pipe system for regulating the rate of flow from the pump to the kier, and automatic means for opening or closing the constriction valve when the kier pressure is respectively below or above a predetermined value when the cycling device is in one position and below or above a different predetermined value when the cycling device is in another position.

8. In a dyeing apparatus comprising a kier having a beam axis port and a port leading to the exterior surface of a beam within the kier, a pressure responsive member within the kier, a

beam within the kier and connected with the beam axis port thereof, a pump having a discharge port and an intake port, a pipe system interconnecting the ports of the kier and the pump for conducting dye liquor from the pump to the kier and from the kier to the pump, reversing valve means for changing the relation of connection between the pump ports and the kier ports to reverse the direction of flow of dye liquor through the kier, and a cycling device for periodically actuating said reversing valve means, the combination of a constriction valve in the pipe system for regulating the rate of flow from the pump to the kier, a reversible electric motor driving said constriction valve, a pressure-movable device responsive to the pressure in said kier, a datum device connected with said cycling device and movable from one datum position to another as the direction of flow through said kier reverses, a differential mechanism movable in accordance with relative positions of said devices to interrupt the supply of energy to said motor when the diiferential between said pressure-movable and datum devices is substantially zero to energize said motor for operation in one direction when the pressure movable device is above the datum device, and inthe opposite direction when the pressure movable device is below the datum device.

9. In a dyeing apparatus comprising a kier having a beam axis port and a port leading to the exterior surface of a beam within the kier, a pressure responsive member within the kier, a beam within the kier and connected with the beam axis port thereof, a pump having a discharge port and an intake port, a pipe system interconnecting the ports of the kier and the pump for conducting dye liquor from the pump to the kier and from the kier to the pump, reversing valve means for changing the relation of connection between the pump ports and the kier ports to reverse the direction of flow of dye liquor through the kier, and a cycling device for periodically actuating said reversing valve means, the combination of a constriction valve in the pipe system for regulating the rate of flow from the pump to the kier, a reversible electric motor driving said constriction valve, electro-pneumatic control means for said motor arranged to close one circuit when the pneumatic pressure thereon is above'a predetermined value and to close a reverse circuit when the pneumatic pressure thereon is below said predetermined value, both circuits being open when the pneumatic pressure is at said predetermined value, a source supplying air at pressure substantially in excess of the aforesaid predetermined value, a reducing valve connected to receive air from said source, said reducing valve having its output port connected to said electro-pneumatic control means, means for automatically adjusting said reducing valve in accordance with the positions of said pressure responsive 'member above or below a predetermined datum, and means for resetting the datum in accordance with the position of said cycling device, an electric motor for driving said pump, and an electro-magnetic valve controlling the flow of air from said source to said reducing valve, said valve being electrically connected for energization and deenergization concurrently with said motor and arranged when deenergized to interrupt the supply of air to said reducing valve.

WILLIAM E. J. McMAN'N.

REFERENCES CITED .The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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